Sermon notes
The master in the parable of the talents said, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord" (Matthew 25:21). Everyone wants to be promoted, but promotion is given only to those who are excellent. In a company, the person promoted is not necessarily the smartest, but the one who is obedient and faithful in following the SOP. The kingdom of heaven also has an SOP, which is God's Word: reading it, hearing it, meditating on it and doing it. God trains people who are willing and obedient, not those who argue or say, "Later, it's not my time yet."
According to Ability, Not Gifting
"And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey" (Matthew 25:15). One talent was worth about 6,000 denarii, roughly 1.5 million Australian dollars, or about 20 years' wages. The master gave according to ability and capacity, not according to gifting or talent, because our gifts may be larger than our capacity. Through the process, God is sharpening our ability and enlarging our capacity.
Start with Small Things
Promotion begins when we say "yes" to small things: praying for the meal at Family Altar, sharing a one- or two-minute testimony, or leading worship at Family Altar. The first two servants immediately put their talents to work, while the third dug in the ground and hid his. "After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them" (Matthew 25:19). Faithfulness is tested when no one is watching: it is not about our image, but about what we watch and do on Netflix, YouTube and social media when we are alone.
How We See God
The third servant said, "Lord, I knew you to be a hard man... And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground" (Matthew 25:24-25). It was the same master, but a different way of seeing him. How we see God shapes how we respond to His process. Fear makes us bury what God has entrusted to us. Don't wait until you feel confident enough to start serving, because confidence never comes first; it is built through the process.
Attending Is Not the Same as Being Faithful
The master called him a "wicked and lazy servant" (Matthew 25:26). Some people faithfully come to church for 5, 10 or even 20 years, yet show no real growth. "For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance" (Matthew 25:29). Jesus said, "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples" (John 15:8). An excellent person is not only active but fruitful, including in the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
David waited about 15 years from his anointing until he became king, and Joseph went through about 14 years of process, including prison. God's calling does not remove the process of being formed. What small thing is God asking you to do faithfully this week? Let us say "yes" to God, stay faithful in His process, and become excellent and fruitful people. The Lord Jesus bless you.
